A/N – Thank for the comments! Kikimoo – No re: Jason/Alan – Johnny was in love with Elizabeth. It wasn't just infatuation. That's why he took it so hard. They were together for almost 2 years. * Virgy15 – I'm writing a different Robin that is more playful and fun. She's a lot like Elizabeth but is more mature than her. I think you'll like them in the end. * ilovedana53 – No, Jason was only like five when that happened and it's not something Alan would readily admit to. You'll find out more down the line. Lucky isn't in the story very much so nothing to get rid of really.

Chapter 25 - Family

Maximus opened his eyes and looked at his wife sleeping. There were so many emotions running through his body. He was mad at her for not telling him about Frank and his threats. He would have taken the family into hiding or did whatever was necessary to protect them. They had lost so much time. And under all that anger was so much love that his heart felt like it would burst. She was his soul mate; his equal. And he had spent so many years mourning her, looking for her, wishing she was alive and here she was lying next to him looking so peaceful like she had never left. A tear escaped his eye just as she looked up at him.

She reached up and gently wiped it away. "I'm sorry for causing you so much pain. I hope someday you can forgive me. We can't go back but I would love it if you could find it in your heart to let me in again."

"Elena, I've never stopped loving you. I've never been with anyone else. You were it for me. But, I'm not going to lie. I'm angry at you. I watched my kids suffer and I probably did a piss poor job in helping Elizabeth heal. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm just being honest."

She began to cry. "I understand."

"With that said, you are end game for me. I just need some time to process everything. Can you be patient with me if I'm all over the place?" He asked as he took her hand.

"Of course I can. I would wait for you forever." She said softly.

Maximus pulled her into him and hugged her as they both cried for all the time they had lost.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason kissed Elizabeth and left her with Gail.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Ready to get out of here." Liz said.

Gail smiled. "So, tell me what's going on with you."

"In a nutshell, I spent most of my life pushing everyone away because my mother disappeared and left us when I was younger. I hurt Johnny because I was too scared to love him. And then somehow, Jason got through to me but I almost ruined us. I realized that I did love him after we had a horrible argument and when I decided to chase after him, I was kidnapped." Liz said as she watched Gail's reaction. "I've spent so many years hating myself and my mother for leaving us and then last night she reappears. She's been held hostage all of this time by the same crazy person that took me, had a son because he raped her, and I have no idea what to do with all the emotions I'm stuffed inside all of this time." She said finally taking a breath. "How do I just let everything go?"

"Wow, that's a lot to process."

"You think?" Liz said dramatically.

Gail smiled. She liked Elizabeth because she had spunk. "Tell me about you and Jason."

Liz smiled. "He's gorgeous, wonderful to me, calls me on my shit, and I love him for it. It feels good to be able to say that. Right now, I don't know what I'd do without him."

"And your mother?"

Liz sighed. "I feel guilty for hating her all of these years. I'm angry that she made the choices that she did yet I understand them. I don't know her. She's like a stranger to me but I love her and need her at the same time."

Gail nodded. "It's okay to feel all of that and quite normal. Sometimes it takes a while for us to get use to big changes."

"So, you can help me work through all of this so that I stop running?"

"Definitely. All I need is for you to be honest with me and yourself. And maybe once we've met a few times, we can get your mother to join us for a session."

"I'm sure she would. She's probably feeling guilty too."

"Can you meet with me tomorrow at 3:00?"

Liz nodded. "Sure. I'll have Jason bring me. I can already tell he'll have me on lockdown."

Gail grinned. "That's good because you need your rest." She stood up. "I already like you a lot Elizabeth and I look forward to helping you sort everything out."

Liz smiled. "Thank you."

She watched her leave wondering why she was so scared to talk to someone before because Gail was very easy to talk to.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Max picked up Milo. He threw a suitcase into the back and slid into the passenger seat.

"This is going to be weird." Max said softly.

"I agree. I'm not sure what to do. She's kind of like a stranger you know?"

Max nodded. "I remember her very well but it's been a long time."

"I hope dad is handling it well."

"He loves her. I'm sure they'll work everything out."

"What about Zander?"

Max groaned. "I almost forgot he was going to be there."

"Maybe he'll be different now. We'd probably turn out like he did if Frank was our father too."

"True. I guess he could be worse."

"Elizabeth should be on her way soon. I called Jason and he said she was fine but grumpy."

"What's new?"

They both chuckled. Max pulled into the driveway. "Here we go."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elena fried up some potatoes and started scrambling some eggs. She was almost done when the boys walked in.

"That's smells so good." Milo said.

Elena smiled. "Go sit at the table and I'll bring it out."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Max said.

They went into the living room and saw their father already sitting there.

"Hey pops." Milo said.

"How did you two get in? I thought I changed the locks."

Max rolled his eyes. "You've been dying to get us all under the same roof again. Don't even try to pretend you're disgruntled. It's probably why you rented this mausoleum."

"Do I really have to pretend? That is my favorite emotion."

Milo smirked.

Zander walked into the room. "Morning."

They all said hi and Elena walked out with some plates.

"You need help mom?" Milo asked.

"Sure, there is some more food on the counter."

Milo got up and grabbed the bacon and eggs and sat them on the table.

"Dig in." She said.

"Ladies first." Maximus said glaring at the boys who had already made a move.

Elena smiled and dished some food out onto her plate and then sat back as the men filled theirs.

"You guys act like you haven't eaten in days." Elena said smiling.

"I'm starving." Max said.

They started to eat and Max smiled. "Now I know where I really get my cooking bug from."

"Oh, you come from a long line of great cooks. Your grandfather knew his way around a kitchen. I've never seen a man get so excited to go to the market."

"What happened to you dad?" Milo said sarcastically.

"I cooked for you guys."

"Um, I hate to interrupt your senior moment, but Gabriella did the cooking." Max said.

Maximus rolled his eyes.

"Gabriella is still with you?"

"Yes. She blackmails me every year for more money though."

Elena chuckled. "Is she married?"

"Yes, and who do you think paid for the wedding?"

"Aw, you're such a sucker for love."

"Don't be spreading rumors."

"What rumors?" Liz asked as she walked into the room.

Elena smiled and got up and gave her and Jason a hug. "Come eat."

"Sonny cooked me something already, but those potatoes are calling my name." Liz said licking her lips.

Jason got her some.

"You're not going to try them?" Liz asked.

"I figured I'd take a bite of yours."

Liz gave him a look and everyone started to laugh.

Elena put some potatoes on a plate and handed it to Jason.

"Thank you."

"Handsome and polite. At least you have good taste." She said to Elizabeth.

Maximus muttered something and Elena shot him a look.

"Behave."

"He's sleeping with your daughter."

"Ohhhhh, you need to stop right there." Max said.

"What's your problem?" Maximus said. "I know you and Leticia have probably sealed the deal."

Max choked on his orange juice.

Jason and Milo were laughing into their napkins.

"Maximus stop teasing him. Now, who is this Leticia?"

Max turned red.

"She's a nanny. She can cook and she's pretty." Liz said. "And if I hadn't of set him up, he'd probably be still stalking her in the park; hiding behind bushes."

"You have a big mouth." Max said glaring at her.

Liz made a face at him.

"What about you Milo?" Elena asked.

"I have a girlfriend who works at the hospital."

"She's pretty too and quirky. I like her." Liz said before eating another bite of potatoes.

"Zander?" Elena asked.

They all looked over at him.

"Yeah Zander tell us who you are dating." Liz said.

"I'm single right now." He said before eating some more.

Max groaned. "Oh no…."

Zander looked over at him. "What?"

He pointed with his head and Zander looked over at Liz who was smirking.

"Elizabeth likes to play matchmaker." Milo offered.

"Uh, no." Zander said. "I don't have any problems in that department."

"Well, I beg to differ or you wouldn't be single." Liz said saucily.

Zander chuckled.

Elena watched all of her kids go back and forth and she suddenly was overcome with emotion and started to cry.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Max said putting his arm on her shoulder.

"It's just I'm so happy that we're all together."

Maximus looked over at Elizabeth and made a face and she fought a grin. He pretended to cry. "I'm really happy too."

Elena smacked him on the arm as everyone laughed.

"Hey there." Robin said walking in with Johnny.

"Oh my God, what smells so good?" He asked.

Elena smiled. "Let me get you some plates."

They sat down and Elena made them a plate.

"This is so good." Robin said.

Johnny couldn't talk because his mouth was full so he nodded.

Elena grinned.

"Robin is like a second daughter to me." Maximus said. "She either watched out for or corrupted our daughter. It depends on who you talk to."

Robin shook her head.

"Don't even try to act innocent." Max said. "You two are legendary."

Johnny flipped open his phone, brought up a picture, and then handed it to Elena.

"Elizabeth!" She yelled.

"Do I even want to know?" She asked as she glared at Johnny.

"Belly shots." Johnny said grinning.

Her mouth dropped open. "Brat."

Robin giggled. She remembered when they were in a bar and where dared to do them off of each other.

"Mom, there's something you need to know." Liz said seriously.

"What?"

"There is something called photoshop."

Everyone started to groan and laugh.

"That wasn't me. It's a fake picture."

"It's a video." Johnny said.

"Jason sweetie." Liz said smiling up at him.

Jason looked at her warily.

"Can you get up and punch Johnny for me?"

"Allow me." Robin said lightly punching him in his good arm.

"Ow, I need that one."

"I need to go shopping. Robin, do you think you could accompany me?" Elena asked. She wanted to get to know the young woman better since she was so close to her daughter.

Liz pouted.

"Il mio piccolo, I'm sorry but you need to rest."

"That's Italian for squirt." Max said to Robin who laughed.

Liz glared at him. "I know. Just don't buy a lot so we can go together too."

Elena smiled. "Alright. I'll just pick up a few outfits."

"I'm going to go get our things out of the car." Jason said standing up.

"You are in the only downstairs bedroom. Just go down the hall to the left and it's at the end of the hallway." Elena instructed.

"Thanks."

Jason disappeared.

"I'm glad you and hunky dunky are happy." Robin said.

Elena chuckled at the nickname while the rest of the guys rolled their eyes.

"You guys are just haters because I don't call you that." Liz said.

"Oh yeah, it's my goal in life to have someone call me that." Max said.

Milo snorted and Johnny laughed.

"Don't you even start O'Brien."

"I didn't say anything, but since you addressed me, I don't think hunky dunky passes out every five minutes and says, I see dead people." Johnny said dramatically.

Milo almost spit out his juice.

"What are you guys talking about?" Jason asked as he sat back.

"Nothing." Liz said.

Jason looked over at Max.

"Don't look at me. There is no way I'm calling you what she just did. I prefer my father's nickname for you anyway."

Jason rolled his eyes and looked at Elizabeth. "What is my nickname?" He asked.

She moved her fingers across her lips like she was zipping them.

Robin laughed.

"You know I'll get it out of you later."

"Trust me. She's saving you the embarrassment." Maximus said. "It would ruin your rep."

"Thanks brat." Jason said playfully.

"Hey!"

"I thought your mouth was zipped." Jason said with a smirk.

"No zipper ever made could stop her gums from flapping." Max said.

"Max, stop picking on your sister." Elena said.

"Yeah Max." Liz said grinning.

The doorbell rang and Jason jumped up to get it.